figure out

verb

figured out; figuring out; figures out

transitive verb

1
: discover, determine
try to figure out a way to do it
2
: solve, fathom
figure out a problem

Examples of figure out in a Sentence

a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That, more than anything else, is the question the Red Sox have been trying to figure out over the past few weeks. Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2025 Still, Brax flies from Berlin to Los Angeles and partners with Christian to figure out who wanted King dead. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2025 Both have dedicated nearly two decades to navigating highly secret avenues of government to figure out as much as possible about UAPs and disseminate everything that isn’t classified. Selome Hailu, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025 Sawyer asserts that many employees feel frustrated with their work-life balance but don’t take the time to figure out why. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for figure out

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of figure out was in 1600

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Figure out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure%20out. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

figure out

verb
1
: find out, discover
try to figure out a way to do it
2
: solve
figure out a problem

More from Merriam-Webster on figure out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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